Two TasTAFE students have been recognised as being among the best in the nation, winning Australian Training Awards.

Caitlin Radford (Certificate III in Agriculture) was named Apprentice of the Year and Heetham Hekmat (Diploma of Community Services) was named Vocational Student of the Year at Australia’s peak awards for vocational education and training.

The awards were announced in an online ceremony on 20 November.

Caitlin is a fifth generation farmer from Moriarty in the North West. She started her Certificate III in Agriculture as a part-time apprentice and through the family farming business, and has now progressed into a Diploma of Agribusiness Management with TasTAFE. She has started share farming with her grandfather and is looking to purchase her own farm. She one day hopes to run the family farm.

Caitlin said she was honoured to win the award.

“This is such a huge step forward, not only for agriculture, but for young people and women in agriculture.”

Heetham fled his home in Iraq as a teenager and spent seven years waiting in Syria for safe settlement. When he arrived in Hobart, he had very limited English and no qualifications. He learnt English through TasTAFE’s Young Migrant Education Program and has since gone on to complete eight certificates and a diploma. He is now a community service worker at The Link Youth Health Service and Headspace Hobart, supporting marginalised young people.

Speaking following his win, Heetham said: “Today I am working with amazing young people and supporting the community because of the education I got from TasTAFE.”

TasTAFE CEO, Jenny Dodd, said TasTAFE was extremely proud of both students’ achievements.

“Caitlin and Heetham have excelled in their training, and have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to both their work and to improving their skills through vocational education and training.

“We are proud that TasTAFE has played a part in their success.

“These awards show that TasTAFE’s training matches it with the best in the nation. It demonstrates the calibre of our teachers and the high quality training that we offer.

“Congratulations to all of the finalists and winners,” Ms Dodd said.

Click the link for all of the Australian Training Awards winners and finalists and bios of Caitlin and Heetham.